Last week I made a HTPC and when I put it all together I noticed that my new Optical Cable did not fit. The steel ends where to big and would not let me push it all the way in.

So instead of buying another cable I just got my old Optical Cable that I have had for more then 6 years.

The old cable still works but it is thin, juice box straw thin.

What I would like to know is, will I need a new one, it sounds fine to me. Also is optical cable like HDMI if it does not work it will not work, since it is digital (ones and zeros) also have they updated Optical cable like HDMI (ie. HDMI 1.3a not just HDMI anymore).

Thanks for your help I know for me it works but better sound even if it is small is good.

Your new cable has an 8mm thick jacket, with a 2mm optical fiber inside. The old cable has a smaller jacket with a 2mm optical fiber inside.

If you're not getting drop outs in the audio the cable is fine.

And the truth about HDMI cables is while the data sent across them has changed with each specification revision, a well-built HDMI 1.1 cable will have no trouble passing the extra data of 1.3.

last optical cable i bought had little plastic protectors on it. I couldn't barely see them,couldnt get it plugged in. Felt stupid

Yeah, Richard; that's one thing about those optical cables that does indeed have a "huge" effect on sound quality.

yeah it truly does,and not a positive one either. Truth be told it was my first encounter with optical,and not a good one at that.